to:

Hon. Gordon Brown
House of Commons
London
SWIA OAA

Dear Sir,

Appeal for Amnesty

We write to you from Yarlswood Immigration Removal Centre and hope
that this letter finds you well. We write to you as grandmothers,
mothers, sisters., daughters, friends and supporters of your
campaigns. We are victims of torture, rape and ill treatment from our
countries having been forced by circumstances to flee our countries
of origin in search of safety and protection.

We are detained in this detention camp as asylum seekers and
overstayers and are gone/going through the immigration processes with
no hope of success because of the laid down bureaucratic laws. Most
of us do not have solicitors, thereby rendering it very difficult to
have legal representation, which results in failure of proper
decisions being passed, in cases where there is merit. The legal aid
case workers provided can only take up cases to a certain level, they
say because of funding difficulties and most of us are left to fend
for ourselves with no clue as to the legal jargon and procedures to
be followed.

Most of the cases are also on 'Fast Track' basis, which makes it very
difficult for willing solicitors to take up cases due to limited time
involved. It is very inappropriate to consider a case and pass a fair
judgement within 24hrs, does not this reflect that the decision is
already pre-determined, yet Home Office had tried to assure the
public that each case will be dealt with on a one to one basis, but
this is not the case. Clearly, they have a certain number of people,
circumstances not withstanding, to deport by a certain period.

Some of the women here have been in this country for a period ranging
from three years to over fourteen years. Some have families, whom
include parents, husbands and children, who are forcibly being
separated. We have also fostered close relationships with our
communities and church members and those who had no one to call
friends now have many friends. Some have been, reporting, signing on,
accordingly on weekly and/or monthly basis for years. Yes we concede
to the fact that I others were working subversively, due to the
restriction placed on Asylum seekers from working (survival of
defeated) and the fear of being forcibly returned to their countries,
but nevertheless have been working and paying their taxes dutifully.

Some have served their sentences for working with false papers but
have not been involved in any other crime, . . . . our crime is
trying to survive by working hard, not by stealing, fraud or claiming
benefits. When our 'Fast Tracked' cases are dismissed within a 24hr
period, we are served with deportation/removal orders and are advised
this will be imminent. Unfortunately this is not the case because
some of the women have been here for periods ranging one month to two
years still awaiting travel documents. Our psychological, mentally
and physically torturing continues.

Suicidal attempts are many, physical deterioration escalating with
the bare health care facilities provided. Pregnant women have lost
their babies. Fibroids are causing intolerable pains . . . the
suffering is endless. Those with terminal cases, i.e., diabetes, high
blood pressure, anaemia ...... ... do not have proper diets and fear
that this of course will cause bigger problems in a few years time.
We have no proper dental care. Yes, we might have been judged as
criminals for trying to live a more secured life, by working as hard
as we possibly can, but doesn't the sentence end, should we continue
to be punished?;

Our fears and nightmares continue. When it comes to 'removing' us we
are being beaten mercilessly and bundled in the plane, injured and in
the most inhumane manner you can imagine. Even beggars have their
'Human Rights', which is always emphasized in the UK and is 'believed
to be practised.

In light of the above petitions, we call upon your kind intervention
and advocacy, into our plight to grant us the safety and protection
we are looking for in this country.

We thank you; most gratefully in anticipation of your urgent action.

Yours truly,

Signed by 118 women detained in Yarl's Wood IRC